5thEstate,com EXCLUSIVE! The Mayor likes cops. He really likes them. Is that why city taxpayers are paying to put new sidewalk and curb in for City Police Detective Andy Morgan? The Mayor didn't return our calls. As for the detective - well - let's just say that he was not prepared for his 15 minutes of fame.

In the quiet neighborhood on Pine Street (near our Mayor's house) the city taxpayers replaced curbing and sidewalk in front of two of Andy Morgan's garages. Can other taxpayers expect the city to pay for their curbing? A taxpayer phone call to the city went as follows:

Taxpayer: "Yeah, I would like the city to come out and replace my sidewalk and curbing."

City Worker: "Sorry, but that's the private landowners responsibility."

Taxpayer: "Really? I saw a place where the city was doing someone's sidewalk"

City Worker: "Where?"

Taxpayer: "On Pine Street"

City Worker: "Oh, that's in front of a public alley."

Taxpayer: "Well, it is in front of the alley but it's also in front of two garages"

City Worker: "Oh THAT?" Oh that's a special program - you'll have to contact the Mayor's office about that one."

So how can 5thEstate.com verify this "special program"? A visit to the police station to see Detective Morgan proved interesting. After announcing to the receptionist (which is probably the rudest greeting you can get in any government office in Lancaster County!) that Harper was there for a "personal matter" regarding Morgan's home on Walnut Street, Morgan met 5thEstate.com's editor in the lobby of the police station.

After introducing himself and the publication, Harper inquired how Morgan was able to get the city to do sidewalks and curbing in front of his property. Like the City Worker before him, Morgan said, "That's in front of a public alley (an examination of the alley revealed a PRIVATE sign!) Harper replied, "Yes but they also did it in front of your garages." Morgan asked, "How did you get my name?" Harper replied that he was the property owner and wanted to know why the city was paying for his sidewalks and curbs to be re-done. Morgan said, "Who are you? I want to see some ID." Upon producing a drivers license Morgan took it and announced he was going to photo-copy it! When Harper protested, Morgan retorted, "Don't get aggressive with me or you'll be in trouble." When Morgan returned with the drivers license, Harper decided he had all the abuse he could stand and walked out the door. Morgan followed and threatened, "I am going to give your name to the Mayor, but if you put my name and my house on your paper, and you're in trouble."

Apparently, only Lancaster's finest is allowed to do the questioning! So why is the Mayor using City Taxes to pay for work done on a private owner's property? So what do you call it when someone takes something that belongs to someone else?

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